The History Channel visits Fall River to revisit the Borden murders

Monday

Feb 25, 2008 at 12:01 AMFeb 25, 2008 at 8:40 PM

Andrew and Abby Borden got their whacks again on Monday in a re-enactment at the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast, the site of the infamous 1892 murders. This time around, the History Channel was behind the camera.

Deborah Allard

Andrew and Abby Borden got their whacks again on Monday in a re-enactment at the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast, the site of the infamous 1892 murders.

This time around, the History Channel was behind the camera, filming the mock murder scenes and researching paranormal happenings at the house for an episode of "Monster Quest" to air in the summer or fall.

“Ok, Lizzie, let’s just raise that hand. Let’s not hit him.” The directive came from KPI Productions producer Haewon Yom. She was explaining to Lizzie, being played by B&B house manager Lee Ann Wilber, how to swing the axe while sparing the head of Andrew, played by Edward Thibault, the house’s night manager, as he lay on the couch pretending sleep.

More than happy to wield the ax, Wilber held it up over her head while the scene was shot.

The crew of KPI Productions, about six members, scurried around the kitchen and parlor, placing lights and cameras and dealing with modern-day dilemmas that would appear in the 1892 world, like the thermostat on the parlor wall.

Lights were turned on and off. A glare shining on the picture over the sofa where Andrew was to be murdered had to be dealt with.

Producer Jim Gaffey said this particular episode of Monster Quest was about ghosts. The show often focuses on creatures like Big Foot, a giant squid, the Loch Ness Monster and even mutant canines.

“We did an investigation in the house,” Gaffey said. “We were trying to elicit paranormal activity.”

Crew members spent the night in the house on Saturday and Sunday and shot video, audio and thermal images.